Potting Medium - Orchid Board

eager2learn · #5 06-19-2016, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Welcome aboard, "Eager".

Thank you, Ray.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

The first few, basic generalities you should learn about orchid growing are that "what works for one person, may not work for you."

Hm...interesting, I'll keep this in mind as I am learning, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Before someone can give reasonable advice about growing your orchid, we need to know all about your growing conditions

[Temperature]
I live in Northern California climate specifically in the valley--90's-100's in the summer and low 50's in the winter.

A/C is set at 80 degrees in summertime and my home can get as warm as 90 degrees max.

Thermostat is set at 69-72 degrees in Wintertime.

[Humidity]
According to:
[https://www.currentresults.com/Weath...ty-annual.php]
my area gets 45-77 percent humidity, currently it is at 37% at 10:10 A.M.
My phal is situated in my bathroom with natural lighting so it may be more humid than normal. Window opens and closes so I can control humidity.

[Light Levels]
Shady.

[Window-Facing Directions]
Window is facing north, open to the east rising sun.
See attatchment.

[How Much You Want 2 "Mess With" The Plants[
Hmmm, as much as needed to grow luscious plants that blossoms beautifully and bountifully every year--but, since I am a beginner, I would prefer to be less "hands on" so I don't overkill my plants by feeding it fertilizer straight from the bottle, literally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

About the primary cultural "truism" that many beginners don't grasp is that while the plants like moisture, even more important is allowing air to get to the root system. The rotted roots you saw were likely due to them being suffocated by too dense of a potting medium, that became saturated when watered.

Yes, I read about this, I am trying to figure out the middle ground between how much potting medium to pack in to retain moisture whilst not suffocating/drowning the roots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

These are great reads:

community/beginner-discussion/44792-phal-abuse

community/beginner-discussion/81484-using-skewers-determine-water

Yes, I have read those and in the process of digesting the materials, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I like to use the "Better-Gro" orchid potting mix for phals. I get it at Lowes for $3.98. Use whatever works for you in your environment.

That is just right for my budget! Thank you!

Thanks for the replies everybody

Attachments:
1. Phal Brown Tips: The Browning Tips Of My Phal, I'm thinking about snipping them off with some scissors or razor blades.

2. Phal Pot: The phal in the front lost all of its leaves but still has some strong roots (exposed). I've been constantly spraying them trying to keep them moist and drenched. Since they aren't covered in moss, I figured they couldn't drown or suffocate no matter how much I spritz them with water. The top phal's smaller leaf is yellowing. I've been misting the leaves as suggested by another website but I found out on this forum that this can cause crown rot. Oh no. (Forgive the mess, I've just re-potted.

3. Phal Window: The north facing window of my bathroom enclosure. To the left is the rising sun to the east.

4. Phal Whole: My phalaenopsis in all its glory.

I am thinking of cutting the bigger one's spike back to the stem because a lot of its roots were lost to root rot and I don't think it'll be enough to sustain the next flowering cycle. Penny for your thoughts?